Brooke Putz, daughter of Teri and Brian Putz of Fountain City, and Morgan Gunther, daughter of Amy and Keith Guenther of Gilmanton were selected as the Buffalo County, Wisconsin 4-H Key Award winners for 2021. The prestigious Key Award, one of the highest awards a 4-H member can receive, honors only a select group of 4-H participants across the state annually. The youth receiving this award are ones who have demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership skills, and actively participated in the functions of their club and their community.
Brooke Putz is a member of the Golden Hornets 4-H club and will graduate in May from Cochrane-Fountain City High School. She was selected for a Key Award for her outstanding accomplishments in leadership with 4-H cloverbuds and junior members. She is an active role model for younger members in her 4-H club and has served as an officer on the club and the county levels. She has also served as a 4-H Camp Kinnissippewa counselor, both in-person and virtually, and is a member of the Wisconsin 4-H Drama Company. Brooke is also engaged in many other youth development initiatives in Buffalo County at school and throughout her community.
Morgan Guenther is a 4-H youth leader in the Lookout Legends 4-H club. In addition to serving her 4-H community club, Morgan has served as the President of the Buffalo County 4-H Leaders Association and as a mentor for many families in the 4-H arts project. She represents Buffalo County on the state 4-H Arts Team and is committed to service-learning as she integrates her 4-H learning experiences into her multiple roles in her school, community and throughout Buffalo County. Guenther will graduate from Gilmanton School District in May.
Annie Lisowski, 4-H Youth Development Educator, on behalf of the Buffalo County 4-H Leaders Association, presented Brooke Putz and Morgan Guenther with the award on January 17, 2021 at the virtual 4-H Leaders Association meeting.
Key Award recipients are high school students with at least three years of experience in 4-H and one year as a youth leader. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Rural Mutual Insurance Company, sponsor the Wisconsin Key Award program. They have sponsored these awards for over 25 years, helping 4-H to honor some of Wisconsin’s finest youth.
